Nightjohn (Sarny)

I think this book would help young teens understand what slavery caused!

Written by Chyna, age 11The book Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen is about a girl named Sarny who is enslaved on a plantation. She is raised by Delie (Mammy). A man named NightJohn who is also enslaved on the same plantation started to teach Sarny how to read and write. This was important to him because he wanted enslaved people to be able to write about their slave experience. Even though educated slaves aren’t supposed to teach others, NightJohn took that risk and taught her secretly. I gave this book five stars because this book teaches you about slavery and about what enslaved people had to experience and go through. Also, I felt intrigued reading this book because it taught me about my ancestors in an entertaining way. It was entertaining because Gary Paulsen made up fictional characters to excite kids or other readers through the characters’ charismatic personalities. 5th graders or ages 10 and up should read this book because they are able to handle the shocking and disturbing events properly. Also, students this age are able to hear and visualize challenging things. Younger kids would not be able to handle the disturbing or shocking events.

This short little book is so stunning in its raw honesty. Sarny's straightforward, unvpolished voice goes straight to the heart -- especially as she describes the horrible tortures she and her fellow slaves endure. Highly recommend to any adult reader. Reading age is listed as 5th grade and up, but I would urge caution in handing this book to kids below age 12; it's a lot to handle.

The book is a very detailed experience of slave life. It is a bit graphic for the age group that I teach (7th), but still a good reality check for students about how bad slave life was.

This is an emotional book but very captivating. It's great for upper middle school and high school kids.The author shows us the bond and love between the slaves. We had to buy the 2nd book.

My children are in their 30/s now and I discovered the movie on VHS when my children were preteens. This was my youngest son favorite movie as a child and he still love it to this day. And he now shares this movie with his 6 year old son instilling in him the love for reading. Now, when i discover the book, I just had to get it, read it in one day and it was exact onpoint like the movie. Every household should have the movie or the book or both as I do. It truly points out the importance of a MUSt for reading and having an education.

One of my favorite ways to teach history is through making connections between historic fictions and non-fiction books. Gary Paulsen has done an excellent job with drawing the reader in and holding their attention. This is one of the most moving books for this time in history. The kids get totally involved emotionally as I read it aloud. Great class discussion pursue with lots of critical thinking. This is a must have book for a classroom library but of course pretty much all of Gary Paulsen books are.

I like this book and I think it is too graphic for middle school reading. I know it is important to study slavery but some of the description of the beatings and the "lack" is disturbing to me as a mature adult. I wonder how it makes a 13 year old feel.

For my grandson who has no idea about the reality of slavery.

Before I read this book, I didnt want to read because I dont like reading. This book changed my mind.

Book was in good condition. However it is a small pocketbook and was hoping for a larger one.